Thursday, April 2, 2026
News

"It was just a principle of mine": Idris Elba reveals why he didn't do Steven Spielberg's "slave" film

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

Jeddah | December 11, 2025 2:18:49 PM IST
BAFTA winner Idris Elba recently graced the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where he spoke at length on projects that spotlight narratives.

In reference to the screening of his short film 'Dust to Dreams' at the Red Sea Film Festival, Elba said, "Anywhere that has an underserved voice, where the narrative is often fed to us rather than us providing the narrative, that's where I want to be," he said during a Q&A session, as quoted by Variety.

At the festival, Elba also opened up about his own career trajectory in the early days, stating that he didn't want to play "slaves."

Noting that he made a pact with his agent, the 'Thor' actor said, "We don't want to play slaves, and we don't want to play just gangsters."

He also revealed missing out on a role in Steven Spielberg's 'Amistad' - based on a revolt on a slave ship. "It was just a principle of mine. I did not want to do it," Idris Elba said.

The actor, who recently shifted focus with his directorial debut 'Yardie', acknowledged that he is now leaning toward a new chapter in his career.

"Eventually, I want to transfer to being a director fully," he said. "I've been acting for a long time. I love it still. But directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles," he said.

His new direction, 'Dust To Dreams,' has already made its way to the Red Sea Film Festival. The film features Seal, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, and Constance Olatunde.

Elba also has another forthcoming feature, 'This Is How It Goes', which is based on Neil LaBute's play of the same name.

The Red Sea Film Festival will conclude on December 13, 2025. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS ()
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Reliance Foundation's 'Water4Life campai...
'Patriot' gets new release date, Mammoot...
Wagner Moura joins Kristen Stewart in va...
Ramayana Teaser: Ranbir Kapoor looks maj...
AI short film 'Happy Birthday Joshi' rel...
'Ramayana': Ranbir Kapoor spotted with N...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
'...Parties who made promises for last 7...
Indian Army's outreach campaign 'Delhi T...
Parliament Budget Session: Lok Sabha to ...
Delhi: PCR call received in Hari Nagar r...
'Time to take Bharat and India and make ...
'Mamata Banerjee's statements responsibl...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Private Aviation Activity Surges at... 
GE promises 20 F404 engines by year... 
'We have delays": HAL Chief on dela... 
IPL 2026: KKR win toss, choose to b... 
MP: Tension in Neemuch after 11-yr-... 
Russian students develop projects f... 
Callerdesk Wins 'Best Telecom Start... 
"PM Modi controls your CM": Rahul G...